Wildfire

This case challenged BLM's proposal to clearcut and mulch some 50 square miles of old growth pinyon-juniper forest around the Mt. Wilson area of central Nevada. 

BLM claimed that the logging was needed to reduce wildfire risks in the "urban/wildland interface," even though there is no urban area in this remote part of Nevada -- and even though its plans would actually increase fire risks by cutting down live trees and leaving their shredded remains on the ground.

This large case challenges several hundred grazing permits, oil and gas leases, and other land management decisions approved by BLM during the last years of the Bush Administration, which individually and together harm the Great Basin core population of greater sage-grouse in Idaho and Nevada.

Files: 

Opening Brief for Summary Judgement August 2011

Statement of Facts August 2011

Map

Great Basin sage grouse complaint

Brief opposing BLM's motion to dismiss

This long-standing litigation challenges BLM’s mismanagement of grazing in the Jarbidge Resource Area of southern Idaho, which has harmed sage-grouse, pygmy rabbits, and other sensitive sagebrush-obligate species and their habitats. Our first court victory, in 2004, held that BLM violated NEPA in approving "temporary" grazing increases sought by Simplot Co. and other major corporate ranchers. In 2005, the court held that BLM violated NEPA and FLPMA in approving long-term grazing increases despite a sharp decline in Jarbidge sage-grouse populations.

Files: 

2005 decision

February 2009 decision